The effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on abdominal strength and endurance and core strength

Abstract

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of self-administered neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on changes in abdominal muscle strength and endurance and core strength. Fifty-three adults were randomly assigned into high intensity (HI: n=27) or low intensity (LI: n=26) groups. The NMES device for the LI group had been altered so that subjects felt some tactile sensation, but the intensity was not sufficient to elicit a muscular contraction. All subjects stimulated their abdominals 5 days per week (30 minutes per session) for 6 weeks and refrained from engaging in any additional abdominal exercises during the study. Subjects were tested at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. The HI group had a significantly greater increase in strength at 4 weeks (19%) and 6 weeks (29%) compared to the LI group. The HI group completed more curl-ups than the LI group at 2 weeks (62%) and 4 weeks (118%). Both groups had a significant increase in core strength over the course of the study, with no difference between groups. Results of the current study indicate that high intensity NMES can significantly increase abdominal strength and endurance compared to LI intensity (control) stimulation.